KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- With injuries to their infield mounting, the Royals and general manager Dayton Moore took immediate action Wednesday with the acquisition of utility infielder Emilio Bonifacio.
Bonifacio, 28, presumably will join the Royals in Detroit on Thursday. The Royals acquired Bonifacio for either a player to be named later or cash considerations.
The Royals also placed Miguel Tejada on the 60-day disabled list, which means his season is over.
"We felt it was going to be at least 15 days (with Tejada's calf injury)," Moore said. "We just felt we had to move on at this point in time for where we are in the season. We need able bodies.
"Obviously, with Moose’s [third baseman Mike Moustakas'] situation being day to day -- and hopefully he doesn’t have to go on the disabled list -- but we’ve got to cover ourselves."
But the Royals still need to make a corresponding move to the 25-man roster to clear space for Bonifacio, who can play second base, shortstop, third base and the outfield. "We’ll have to talk about it," Moore said about that move.
One possible scenario is that the Royals suddenly feel it is necessary to put Moustakas on the disabled list. Moustakas was wearing a protective boot on his left leg Wednesday to restrict movement in his lower left calf, which he strained Monday.
The Royals maintained Tuesday and Wednesday that Moustakas simply was day to day and an unlikely candidate for the disabled list.
It is also possible the Royals have seen enough of Jamey Carroll, whom they just acquired from the Twins on Sunday. Carroll, 39, is hitless in six at-bats with the Royals and has not looked good in any of his plate appearances. He also double-clutched after fielding a grounder in Tuesday's loss, allowing an infield hit.
Bonifacio is hitting just .218 this season with three homers and 12 stolen bases. He was acquired from the Marlins last offseason.
Bonifacio's best season came in 2011, when he hit .296 with 26 doubles and 40 steals. His biggest value to the Royals likely will be his speed and versatility -- and he's a switch-hitter.
Bonifacio's younger brother, Jorge, is one of the Royals' top prospects, an outfielder currently at Double-A Northwest Arkansas.
You can follow Jeffrey Flanagan on Twitter at @jflanagankc or email him at jeffreyflanagan6@gmail.com.
